U.S. patent number 8,915,498 [Application Number 14/176,066] was granted by the patent office on 2014-12-23 for cornhole game difficulty modification.
The grantee listed for this patent is William B. Hynds. Invention is credited to William B. Hynds.
United States Patent |
8,915,498 |
Hynds |
December 23, 2014 |
Cornhole game difficulty modification
Abstract
The invention is a device that modifies the target aperture for
the standard game board for the traditional lawn game known as
cornhole or bean bag toss. The device, when inserted into the game
board's target aperture, replaces the open hole with a circular
shaped "trapdoor" that opens only when directly struck by a tossed
game bag. When opened, the trapdoor allows the passage of the game
bag through the game boards target aperture. The device includes a
spring hinge mechanism that returns the trapdoor to the closed
position after the bag has passed through the opening. The device
is designed so that it can be quickly and easily inserted into and
removed from the target aperture of the game board without moving
or damaging the game board.
Inventors: |
Hynds; William B. (Columbia,
SC) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hynds; William B. |
Columbia |
SC |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
51864245 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/176,066 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140333026 A1 |
Nov 13, 2014 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
61855300 |
May 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
61959407 |
Aug 23, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/381; 273/354;
273/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
67/06 (20130101); A63B 2067/065 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
5/06 (20060101); A63B 63/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;473/179,190-192
;273/381,382,354,398-402,390-392 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Graham; Mark
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Neely; Melissa B.
Government Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
This invention was not made by an agency of the United States
Government nor under a contract with an agency of the United States
Government.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An apparatus for insertion into the target aperture of a
standard cornhole game board, where said apparatus is comprised of
a thin circular disk which has an outer diameter of 8 to 9 inches
and an inner diameter of 5.5 to slightly less than 6 inches, and
said circular disk is affixed to a ring which has an outer diameter
slightly smaller than the standard cornhole gameboard 6 inch
diameter target aperture and a minimum inner diameter of 5.5
inches, and a solid circular plate located in the open space of
said circular disk and ring and is attached to said ring by means
of a spring hinge mechanism and where said solid circular plate
will partially move downwards into said disk's and ring's open
space and allow passage of a cornhole game bag through said disk
and ring when said solid circular plate is impacted by a tossed
cornhole game bag with sufficient momentum.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, where a celebratory sound is
played by means of a sound mechanism that is activated when the
circular solid plate of claim 1 is moved by the direct impact of a
thrown cornhole game bag.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/855,300
Filing Date: May 13, 2013
Relationship: Provisional application was for the same
invention
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/959,407
Filing Date: Aug. 23, 2013
Relationship: Provisional application was the celebratory sound
addition of the invention
PARTIES TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Whether it is called corn toss, soft horseshoes, bean bag toss or
tailgate toss, the lawn game cornhole is increasing in popularity
across the United States. There are numerous associations and clubs
for the game including the American Cornhole Association
(www.playcornhole.org), the American Cornhole Organization
(www.americancornhole.com), the Central Alabama Cornhole Club
(www.alabamacornhole.com), and the Maryland Cornhole Organization,
Inc. (www.marylandcornhole.org). The exact origins of the game are
unknown. One version of its history says the game originated in
Germany during the fourteenth century and reemerged in Kentucky
approximately one hundred years ago. Another version has the game
originating in Ohio during the last century. Regardless of its
origins, the game appeals to people of all ages.
The game consists of two elevated platforms, typically made of
wood, located several feet apart in a level area. The platforms are
elevated on an angle with the lower end located typically two to
four inches above the ground and the higher end approximately
twelve inches above the ground. A standard platform generally
measures two feet wide by four feet long with a six inch circular
aperture centered horizontally on the board approximately nine
inches from the edge of the higher end. In a standard game, the
platforms are placed facing each other approximately twenty-seven
feet apart. Players take turns tossing a small bag filled with
dried beans, corn or other pellets at the platform the farthest
from them. Points are awarded for landing the bag on the platform
or sending the bag through the target aperture, with a greater
number of points awarded for sending the bag through the target
aperture. The bag can go through the target aperture by either
hitting the target aperture directly or sliding the bag across the
board into the aperture. The invention described in this
application is intended to provide the players the option of
changing the target aperture through which the players desire to
send their bag so that the bag can go through the target aperture
only by hitting the target aperture directly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A standard cornhole game board is a flat surface two feet wide by
four feet long set on an angle where the lower end is approximately
two to four inches above the ground and the higher end
approximately twelve inches above the ground. A circular six inch
diameter aperture is located in the horizontal center of the board
approximately nine inches from the top end upper edge. Players
attempt to score points by tossing a bean bag through the target
aperture. The bag can go through the target either hitting the
target aperture directly or sliding the bag across the game board
into the target aperture.
The purpose of the invention is to provide an option for players to
change the configuration of the game board's target aperture
without permanently modifying the game board. The invention is a
device that only allows a tossed bag that directly hits the target
aperture to pass through the aperture.
The invention consists of a circular plate ("trapdoor") mounted in
a concentrically joined flat disk and ring. The flat disk has a
hole in its center which is filled by the trapdoor. The trapdoor is
attached to the concentrically joined disk and ring with a spring
tension hinge which returns the trapdoor to its original position
whenever a bag passes through the target aperture. The disk is
tapered such that it is thinnest at its outer edges and thickest at
its center. The disk is tapered so as to minimize impediment to a
tossed bag sliding across the board towards the target
aperture.
The invention can be quickly and easily inserted into and removed
from the target aperture of the standard cornhole game board
without moving, damaging or otherwise permanently modifying the
cornhole game board. The ability to insert and remove the device
without moving the game board allows the board to be temporarily
modified during a game providing variety in game play.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 shows a side view of the invention. A flat circular disk (1)
is affixed to a ring (2). The flat disk (1) has a hole in its
center which aligns with the open area of the ring (2) to provide
the new target aperture for the game. The flat disk is thicker at
the center and tapers towards the outer edges; this is to provide
minimal obstruction for a bean bag sliding towards the target
aperture. A solid circular plate (3) is attached to the ring (2) by
means of a spring hinge mechanism (4). A small adjustable fitting
(5) is attached to the ring (2). This fitting (5) is used to aid in
securing the invention in place when the invention apparatus is
inserted into a standard cornhole game board (6). The solid
circular plate (3) is shown in a partially open position for
clarity. Note that the drawing is not to scale and the cornhole
game board (6) is not part of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a view of the top of the invention. In this position,
the flat circular disk (1), the solid plate (3) and a portion of
the spring hinge mechanism (4) are visible. The solid plate (3) is
shown in its closed position. Note that the drawing is not to
scale.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the invention. In this position, the
flat circular disk (1), the ring (2), the solid plate (3), the
three parts of the spring hinge mechanism (4a, 4b, 4c) and the
small adjustable fitting (5) are all visible. Note that the drawing
is not to scale.
FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of the invention inserted into a
cornhole game board (6). In this view, the flat circular disk (1),
the ring (2), the solid plate (3), and the three parts of the
spring hinge mechanism (4a, 4b, 4c) are all visible. Note that the
drawing is not to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Cornhole, also known as soft horseshoes, bean bag toss, or tailgate
toss, is a popular lawn game played across the country. The game
consists to two elevated platforms, typically made of wood, located
several feet apart in a level area. The platforms are elevated on
an angle with the lower end located typically two to four inches
above the ground and the higher end approximately twelve inches
above the ground. A standard game platform (game board) measures
two feet wide by four feet long with a six inch diameter circular
aperture centered horizontally on the board approximately nine
inches from the edge of the higher end. Players take turns tossing
a small bag filled with dried beans, corn or other pellets at the
platform the farthest from them. Points are awarded for landing the
bag on the platform or sending the bag through the target aperture,
with a greater number of points awarded for sending the bag through
the target aperture. The bag can go through the target aperture by
either hitting the target aperture directly or sliding the bag
across the board into the aperture. The invention described in this
application is intended to modify the target aperture through which
the players desire to send their bean bag without permanently
modifying the game board.
The invention is an adapter designed to be inserted into the game
board from the top side (the side that faces the players) and is
shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. It consists of a thin circular disk (1)
with an outer diameter of eight to nine inches and an inner
diameter of five and a half to slightly less than six inches. The
thin circular disk (1) is attached to a ring (2). The disk (1) is
tapered such that it is thickest near the center and thinnest at
the outer edge. This is done to minimize obstruction to a bag
sliding across the game board. The ring (2) has an outer diameter
of slightly less than six inches and an inner diameter of at least
five and a half inches.
The open space of the thin circular disk (1) is filled with a solid
circular plate (3), also referred to as the "trapdoor". The
trapdoor (3) is attached to the ring (2) by means of a spring hinge
mechanism (4). To pass a tossed bag through the cornhole game
board's target aperture, a player must toss his bag directly onto
the trapdoor (3) to open the trapdoor. A bag sliding across the
surface of the game board onto the trap door would not have
sufficient force to cause the trapdoor to open. When the trapdoor
opens, it allows the bag to fall through the aperture and then the
trapdoor returns to its original "closed" position.
The spring hinged mechanism (4) consists of a tension spring hinge
(4a) and two rectangular solid pieces (4b and 4c). The trapdoor (3)
is directly attached to the smaller of the rectangular solid pieces
(4c). The larger rectangular solid piece (4b) is attached to the
ring (2). The two rectangular solid pieces (4b, 4c) are connected
by the tension spring hinge (4a). When the invention is inserted
into the standard cornhole game board's target aperture, the larger
rectangular solid piece (4b) and the small adjustable fitting (5)
serve to secure the invention apparatus in place as shown in FIG.
4.
The invention apparatus can also include a celebratory sound
feature. When a tossed bag impacts the trapdoor with sufficient
force to open the trapdoor enough to allow passage of the tossed
bag through the target aperture, a celebratory sound is played upon
return of the trapdoor to its closed position to herald the score.
As cornhole is a game often played at social occasions, such as
family reunions, sporting events and outdoor parties, the
celebratory sound feature is intended to enhance enjoyment of the
game. Devices are currently available in the market place that
would allow the retailer or game owner to customize the celebratory
sound played.
The materials of construction for the invention can be as varied as
the materials used to construct cornhole game boards. As the game
boards as typically made of wood, prototypes of the invention were
also constructed of wood. However, the invention would not be
limited to a wooden construction but could be made of various
materials, such as plastic or other organic polymers.
Previous United States Patents for toss games with varying sized
target apertures disclose entire games and not a means of
modification of an existing commercially available game. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,726,591 (Multiple Type Target Game, granted Feb. 23, 1988 to
Clyde R. Johnson) describes a toss game with multiple apertures of
varying sizes through which the player attempts to throw an object.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,832 (Changeable Target Game Apparatus, granted
Jun. 16, 1998 to Walter M. Huff) discloses a game with a game board
(target panel) with a large aperture. A rotating panel with
multiple varying sized apertures is affixed to the target panel.
The rotating panel can then be turned to align an aperture on the
rotating panel to the aperture of the underlying target panel. The
invention disclosed in this application is an adapter that can be
utilized with the multitude of cornhole game boards already in
existence and not the acquisition of an entirely new game.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,071 (Visual Assisted Golf Practice Putting Aid,
granted Feb. 9, 1995 to Carl A. Barrs, et. al.) discloses an
annular insert to be used as a visual target aid for a golf hole.
The Barrs patent does not disclose the trapdoor which is an
essential part of this invention. U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,506 (Golfing
Target, granted May 12, 1970 to Nigel Schollick) for another golf
practice aid, includes an electric buzzer to indicate when a flap
is moved by a golf ball.
A potential patent classification for this invention is Class 273,
Amusement Devices Games; Sub-Class 354, Having means to vary size
of projectile receiving target aperture or target opening.
The present invention described above and shown in the accompanying
drawings is visualized as the preferred embodiment of the
invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. It will be understood by those
skilled in the art that changes in forms and details may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
application. It is therefore intended that the present invention
not be limited to the exact forms and details described and
illustrated herein, but falls within the scope of the appended
claims.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and
should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense
unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or
constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or
clarity.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being
"on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with, "contacting",
etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to,
connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or
intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being, for example, "directly on",
"directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly coupled"
with or "directly contacting" another element, there are no
intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those
of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that
is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that
overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
* * * * *